They also re-signed three players: forwards Matt Frattin (two years at $850,000 per) and Ryan Hamilton (one year) and goaltender Jussi Rynnas (one year). But they didn’t appear to be in the mix for any of the big names.

It was July 1, free agent day, and GM Brian Burke took part in Toronto’s lavish Pride parade — checking his BlackBerry regularly — while showing restraint in staying out of the frenzy.

“I believe our group (NHL GMs) makes more mistakes on July 1 than we do all the rest of the year combined,” said Burke. “We hand out contracts with unrealistic values and unrealistic terms.

“When you’re in a hard-cap system, it bites you right in the bum at some point.”

By 7 p.m. Sunday, NHL general managers had committed $235 million over 100 years to 52 players, including Jordan Staal’s $60-million extension with the Hurricanes.

“We could have done more,” said Burke. “Ownership has authorized us to spend. I just don’t think it was a prudent way to spend money.

“We’re not done yet,” Burke added. “This is a chain of events that goes on in the summer. I’m not discouraged at all.”

The Leafs were never serious bidders on this summer’s hottest free-agent commodities: Devils forward Zach Parise and Predators defenceman Ryan Suter, who were taking their time mulling offers. One of the top available defencemen after Suter, Jason Garrison, signed a six-year deal with the Canucks, reportedly worth $27.6 million.

The Leafs do have interest in Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, testing free agency for the first time in his career.

“My belief is that New Jersey intends to sign (Brodeur) and that’s his first choice,” said Burke. “I’d be surprised if it doesn’t go down that way. We’re certainly in the hunt. We’ll see what the price tag is.”

Winger Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets remains the biggest name on the trade market. The Senators were told they’re not on the negotiating list. The Rangers remain the most likely suitors, but the asking price was still deemed to be too high.

Columbus may not move Nash until Parise signs. Many of the teams interested in Parise were also interested in Nash. Los Angeles, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Carolina and Minnesota and Ottawa made a pitch to Parise, Suter or both. The offers were reportedly worth $80 million to $90 million over 12 years.

• The 12th-place Hurricanes inked Staal to an extension, then announced their intentions to pursue Parise and Suter. They also added defenceman Joe Corvo.

• The 14th-place Islanders added Boyes (from Buffalo) for some support behind John Tavares and tons of sandpaper in Matt Carkner (from Ottawa).

• The 15th place Canadiens added Armstrong and former Rangers agitator Brandon Prust (four years, $10 million), a player many thought the Leafs were after.

“Teams have added pieces they think will make it better for them,” said Burke. “Whether those prices are sensible and whether those players have that impact . . . ”

By noon, some other players had re-signed: Ryan Smyth, for one, took a huge pay cut to stay with the Oilers — a two-year contract worth $4.5 million, down from $4.5 million ($6.25 million cap hit) last season.

The day started with a run on backup goalies, added or re-signed: Gustavsson to Detroit, Scott Clemmensen in Florida, Michael Leighton in Philadelphia, Yann Danis with Edmonton.

Dustin Penner re-upped with the Los Angeles Kings while P-A Parenteau landed a nice four-year deal with the Avalanche, aided by a wooing phone call from Joe Sakic.

The gutting of bankrupt Phoenix began when Ray Whitney signed a two-year deal with Dallas. The 40-year-old Whitney scored 24 goals with 53 assists as a Coyote last season.

“It's been 18 years of being too small and now a couple of years of being too old,” said Whitney.

Whitney has 1,003 points in 1,229 career games with seven teams, adding Phoenix’s ownership issues were among the factors that led him to leave.

But Phoenix captain Shane Doan took himself out of the mix. His agent announced Doan wouldn’t sign until at least July 9, the earliest the Coyotes’ shaky ownership issues could be settled. Doan’s preference is to remain in Phoenix.

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